Instagram may have killed the appetite for sun-soaked photographs but for me sunrise and sunset are two of the most perfect times of days.  It’s the time of day when I am most optimistic, when I like to draw breath and feel alive.  So often in daily life we plod on not stopping to appreciate the world around us.  Photography also has a similar effect as you open your eyes to what is in front of you and how the light can make even the most ordinary of nature seem magical and altogether more precious.

I travelled camera light this holiday with our tiny Olympus Pen that packs a massive punch photographically and beats the embarrassment of justifying why your camera bag is almost as heavy as your checked luggage.  The only think I don’t like about this camera is the lack of viewfinder and instead you use the digital display on the back.  Luckily for traditionalists like me they make a digital viewfinder you mount on the top and we bought one secondhand, instantly I felt like a proper photographer again.

Strolling along the beach close to sunset in Tokoriki was at its finest.  One evening I met one of the monster crabs scuttling along, a cousin I think of the one that liked to frequent the outside shower in the bure (little cottage) we stayed in. We named him Brutus, meant affectionately, although we were particular to be sure this crustacean guest stayed outside where he rightfully belonged lurking around the rocks.

It was tough having to endure such beautiful views at the end of the day but as the dark still descents early like a light switched off I can look at these photographs and remember the warmth and beauty of the pacific isles.